Canister hose reel

ABSTRACT

A portable hose reel assembly that includes a housing assembly structured to support a rotatable hose reel assembly on an axis, an elongated hose reel assembly coupled to the housing assembly and extending longitudinally about the axis, and a handle assembly having a handle member and at least one brace. The at least one brace is coupled to the housing assembly and extends generally parallel to the axis, the handle member coupled to the at least one brace and extends generally perpendicular to the brace.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/736,215, filed Nov. 14, 2005entitled, CANISTER HOSE REEL.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a hose reel and, more specifically, to acompact hose reel having a generally canister-like shape.

2. Background Information

Hose reel assemblies are devices structured to assist in transportingand using hoses, typically garden hoses for dispensing water. Generally,the hose reel includes a base or housing assembly structured torotatably support a reel. The reel includes a barrel, around which thehose is wrapped, a crank, used to turn the reel, and a water conduithaving a movable end and a fixed end. The stationary end of the conduitextends away from the reel and is structured to be coupled to a watersupply. The movable end of the conduit is disposed on the circumferenceof the reel. In this configuration, a hose may be coupled to the movableend of the conduit and, when the reel is rotated, the hose is wrapped,or unwrapped, about the reel. In this configuration, a hose may betransported and/or stored on the hose reel assembly.

One type of hose reel includes a handle member used to transport thehose reel and to assist in bracing the hose reel during winding. Theprior art hose reel handles were typically disposed parallel to the axisof rotation of the reel. That is, the prior art handle was a U-shapedmember wherein the two ends extended radially away from the reel axisand the central portion extended parallel to the reel axis. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,553. While such a handle allows a user to transportthe hose reel, it does have disadvantages. For example, a user may graspthe handle at any location, possibly resulting in an off-center orunbalanced support relative to the hose reel center of gravity. Whilethis disadvantage may be partially addressed by identifying the centerof the handle as a grip, e.g., by having visual indication such ashaving a portion of the handle a different color or different size, auser may still grasp the handle in an unbalanced manner. In addition tobeing unbalanced during transport, an off-center grip was also adisadvantage during the winding of the hose. That is, depending upon theflexibility of the hose, winding of the hose could require a substantialamount of force. Typically, a user used the handle to brace the hosereel assembly on the ground or other solid surface. To brace the hosereel assembly it is preferable to have an evenly distributed load sothat both sides of the housing assembly firmly engage the ground.However, if a user pressed down on one side of the handle, the opposingside of the hose reel assembly could shift during vigorous winding.

Further, given the orientation of the handle, that is parallel to theaxis of rotation, the handle needed to have an extended length so thatthe steadying force applied by the user during winding could overcomethe torque created by the act of winding. That is, if the handle was tooclose to the axis of rotation, as the user wound the hose the torquecreated by the winding could be greater than the counter force appliedto the handle by the user. Therefore, to give the user a mechanicaladvantage, the handle ends would have an extended length. Thedisadvantage to this configuration is that the handle was generally notcompact, thereby taking up valuable storage space.

There is, therefore, a need for a compact hose reel.

There is a further need for a compact hose reel having a perpendicularhandle structured to evenly distribute loads between the handle and thehousing assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs, and others, are met by the present invention which providesa hose reel assembly having a centrally located perpendicular handlemember. The handle member is coupled to a brace. The brace extendsgenerally parallel to the rotational axis of the hose reel. The handleextends generally perpendicular to the brace. While the handle membermay be a generally straight member, the perpendicular handle member is,preferably, an arced member having a radius slightly larger than theradius of the reel hubs. As such, the perpendicular handle may also be acircumferential handle member. The perpendicular handle member is,preferably, disposed about an equal distance between the reel hubs. Inthis configuration, the user grips the handle perpendicular to that axisof rotation of the reel assembly. It is more convenient for a user toovercome the torque created during the winding of the hose if the user'shand is in this orientation. That is, due to the orientation of thehandle member, the handle member may be disposed closer to the axis ofthat reel assembly than was possible with a handle oriented parallel tothe axis of rotation. As such, the reduced distance between the handleand the axis of rotation of the reel assembly is possible because of theorientation of the handle member and is not merely a design choice.Thus, in this configuration, the handle is both compact and structuredto evenly distribute loads between the handle and the housing assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing selected features of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing selected features of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a conduit assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements,whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs.

As used herein, a “circumferential handle” has a generally arced orcurved portion. That is, the arced, or curved, portion may not beexactly circular.

As shown in FIG. 1, a hose reel assembly 10 includes a housing assembly12, and a reel assembly 14, and a handle assembly 16. The housingassembly 12 includes a base member 20, and two side members 22, 24. Theside members 22, 24 are structured to rotatably support the reelassembly 14. Preferably, each side member 22, 24 has a hub 25 upon whichthe reel assembly 14 may rotate. The side members 22, 24 each have atleast one foot 26 structured to engage the ground or another rigidsurface. Each side member 22, 24 preferably has a curved upper surface28, 29. The curvature of the side member curved upper surfaces 28, 29corresponds to, but is larger than, the shape and curvature of the reelassembly hubs 32, 34 (described below). The side member curved uppersurfaces 28, 29 preferably extend over an arc of about 180 degrees. Theside members 22, 24 are coupled to, and held in a generally parallelspaced relation by, the base member 20.

The reel assembly 14 is generally cylindrical and includes an elongatedbarrel portion 30, two end hubs 32, 34, a water conduit assembly 36, anda crank assembly 60. The barrel portion 30 has a cylindrical body 38with an axis of rotation 40. The reel assembly hubs 32, 34 are disposedat opposite ends of the barrel portion 30. The reel assembly hubs 32, 34are, preferably, circular and have a greater diameter than the barrelportion 30. The reel assembly hubs 32, 34 are structured to be rotatablycoupled to the housing assembly 12 side members 22, 24 at the sidemember hubs 25. When the reel assembly 14 is coupled to the housingassembly 12, the reel assembly 14 is structured to rotate about thelongitudinal axis 40 of the barrel portion 30. The water conduitassembly 36 has a stationary portion 52, a rotating portion 54, and aseal therebetween (not shown). The stationary portion 52 is a generallyelongated tube 50 disposed generally along the axis of rotation 40. Therotating portion 54 has an axial section 56 and a perpendicular section57. The axial section 56 is disposed, generally, along the axis ofrotation 40 and is rotatably coupled to the stationary portion 52. Theperpendicular section 57 extends generally perpendicular to the axis ofrotation 40. That is, the perpendicular section 57 extends through thebarrel portion 30. In this configuration, the stationary portion 52extends from the reel assembly 14 and may be coupled to a supply hose.The rotating portion 54 is rotatably coupled to the stationary portion52 and rotates with the barrel portion 30. The hub 32, 34 opposite thetube stationary end 52 is coupled to the crank assembly 60. The crankassembly 60 includes a disk 62 and a knob 64. The disk 62 is structuredto be disposed on the outer side of the housing assembly 12 while beingcoupled to the hub 32, 34. The knob 64 is coupled to the disk 62 nearthe periphery of the disk 62. In this configuration, a user may graspthe knob 64 and rotate the disk 62, thereby rotating the reel assembly14.

The handle assembly 16 includes at least one elongated brace 70, asshown; there is a first and second brace 70, 72, and a handle member 74.Each brace 70, 72 is structured to be coupled to, and extend between,the housing assembly side members 22, 24. Thus, the braces 70, 72 extendgenerally parallel to the axis 40 of rotation of the reel assembly 14.The braces 70, 72 are, preferably, coupled to the side member curvedupper surfaces 28, 29. The braces 70, 72 are spaced apart from eachother, preferably being about 70 degrees apart on the side member curvedupper surfaces 28, 29. The braces 70, 72 may be shaped to bow away fromthe reel assembly 14 and each has a medial vertex 76, 78.

The handle member 74 is coupled to, and extends between, the braces 70,72. The handle member 74 is, preferably, generally perpendicular to theat least one brace 70, 72. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, thehandle member 74, preferably, has an arcuate, or curved, portion 80. Thearcuate portion 80 extends generally circumferentially about the reelassembly 14. That is, the arcuate portion 80 extends between the medialvertices 76, 78 of the braces 70, 72. By being coupled to the braces 70,72 at the medial vertices 76, 78, the arcuate portion 80 is spaced fromthe reel assembly 14. Further, the arcuate portion 80 may also be shapedto bow away from the reel assembly 14. The shape to the braces 70, 72and the arcuate portion 80 ensure that there is a gap 90 between thehandle member 74 and the reel assembly 14. The radius of the arcuateportion 80 is slightly greater than the radius of the hubs 32, 34. Inthis configuration the arcuate portion 80 does not extend a great lengthbeyond the housing assembly 12 allowing the hose reel assembly 10 to becompact while further allowing a space between the handle member 74 anda hose (not shown) that is wound about the reel assembly 14. By way ofexample, if the hubs 32, 34 have a radius of about 3.8 inches, thehandle member 74 radius, relative to the axis of rotation 40, is about6.8 inches. Of course, the size of the hubs 32, 34 and handle member 74may vary.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the water conduit assembly 36includes a three-part conduit. That is, the rotating portion 54 may havetwo components, an axial portion 100 and a radial portion 102. The axialportion 100 is an elongated tube 104 having an axial end 106 and aperpendicular end 108. The axial portion axial end 106 is rotatablycoupled to the stationary portion tube 50. The axial portion 100 isgenerally disposed along the axis of rotation 40. The perpendicular end108 is disposed within the barrel portion 30 and is bent, or curves, toextend generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation 40. The radialportion 102 includes a L-shaped tubular body 110 having an elongatedperpendicular portion 112 and a tangent portion 114. The perpendicularportion 112 is rotatably coupled to the perpendicular end 108 of theaxial portion 100. The tangent portion 114 extends generallyperpendicular to the perpendicular portion 112 and generally tangent tothe outer surface of the barrel portion 30. The barrel portion 30 mayhave a generally flat platform disposed about the area where theperpendicular portion 112 penetrates the barrel portion 30. As is knownin the art, generally water tight seals (not shown) are disposed betweenthe stationary portion tube 50 and the axial portion 100, as well asbetween the axial portion 100 and the radial portion 102.

In this configuration, the hose reel assembly 10 may be adapted to bewound in either a “left-handed” or “right-handed” direction. That is,the hose (not shown) is wrapped about the barrel portion 30 in either aclockwise or counterclockwise direction. The direction that the hose iswrapped about the barrel portion 30 determines the direction that thecrank assembly 60 must be turned in order to wind the hose. Thedirection that the hose is wrapped about the barrel portion 30 isdetermined by the direction that the tangent portion 114 faces. Thus,prior to attaching the hose to the tangent portion 114, a user mayrotate the tangent portion 114 to face a selected direction. In a firstdirection, the tangent portion 114 faces clockwise relative to thebarrel portion 30 and in a second direction, the tangent portion 114faces counterclockwise relative to the barrel portion 30. Thus, byorienting the tangent portion 114 to face clockwise, the hose will bewrapped about the barrel portion 30 in a clockwise direction.Conversely, by orienting the tangent portion 114 to facecounterclockwise the hose will be wrapped about the barrel portion 30 ina counterclockwise direction. Thus, the user may select whether the hoseshall be wound in a “left-handed” or “right-handed” direction.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A portable hose reel assembly comprising: a housing assemblystructured to support a rotatable hose reel assembly on an axis; anelongated reel assembly rotatably coupled to said housing assembly andextending longitudinally about said axis; a handle assembly having ahandle member and at least one brace; said at least one brace coupled tosaid housing assembly and extending generally parallel to said axis; andsaid handle member coupled to said at least one brace and extendinggenerally perpendicular to said at least one brace.
 2. The portable hosereel assembly of claim 1, wherein: said reel assembly is generallycylindrical; said handle member has a generally arcuate portion; andsaid arcuate portion extending generally circumferentially about saidreel assembly.
 3. The portable hose reel assembly of claim 2, whereinsaid arcuate portion has a greater radius than said reel assembly. 4.The portable hose reel assembly of claim 3, wherein: said reel assemblyincludes a central barrel portion and two opposed end hubs, said hubshaving a radius of between about 3.0 and 4.5 inches; and wherein theradius of said arcuate portion is between about 5.5 and 10.0 inches. 5.The portable hose reel assembly of claim 4, wherein: said reel assemblyincludes a central barrel portion and two opposed end hubs, said hubshaving a radius of about 3.8 inches; and wherein the radius of saidarcuate portion is about 6.8 inches.
 6. The portable hose reel assemblyof claim 1, wherein: said housing assembly includes a base member andtwo side members; said side members structured to rotatably support saidreel assembly assembly, said side members being held in a generallyparallel spaced relation by said base member; and said at least onebrace extending between said side members.
 7. The portable hose reelassembly of claim 6, wherein: said at least one brace includes a firstbrace and a second brace; said first brace and said second brace eachextending between said side members; said first brace and said secondbrace being spaced from each other; and said handle member extendingbetween said first brace and said second brace.
 8. The portable hosereel assembly of claim 7, wherein: said side members each have a curvedupper surface; said first brace and said second brace each being coupledto said curved upper surface of said side members; said reel assembly isgenerally cylindrical; said handle member has a generally arcuateportion; and said arcuate portion extending generally circumferentiallyabout said reel assembly.
 9. The portable hose reel assembly of claim 8,wherein said first brace and said second brace are each bowed away fromsaid reel assembly.
 10. The portable hose reel assembly of claim 9,wherein said handle member is bowed away from said reel assembly. 11.The portable hose reel assembly of claim 10, wherein said arcuateportion has a greater radius than said reel assembly.
 12. The portablehose reel assembly of claim 11, wherein: said reel assembly includes acentral barrel portion and two opposed end hubs, said hubs having aradius of between about 3.0 and 4.5 inches; and wherein the radius ofsaid arcuate portion is between about 5.5 and 10.0 inches.
 13. Theportable hose reel assembly of claim 12, wherein: said reel assemblyincludes a central barrel portion and two opposed end hubs, said hubshaving a radius of about 3.8 inches; and wherein the radius of saidarcuate portion is about 6.8 inches.
 14. The portable hose reel assemblyof claim 8, wherein said handle member is bowed away from said reelassembly.
 15. The portable hose reel assembly of claim 14, wherein saidarcuate portion has a greater radius than said reel assembly.
 16. Theportable hose reel assembly of claim 15, wherein: said reel assemblyincludes a central barrel portion and two opposed end hubs, said hubshaving a radius of between about 3.0 and 4.5 inches; and wherein theradius of said arcuate portion is between about 5.5 and 10.0 inches. 17.The portable hose reel assembly of claim 17, wherein said reel assemblyincludes a central barrel portion and two opposed end hubs, said hubshaving a radius of about 3.8 inches; and wherein the radius of saidarcuate portion is about 6.8 inches.
 18. The portable hose reel assemblyof claim 8 wherein: said reel assembly includes a central barrelportion, two opposed end hubs, a water conduit assembly, and a crankassembly; said crank assembly structured to rotate said barrel portionrelative to said housing assembly; said reel assembly hubs coupled tosaid barrel portion; said reel assembly hubs rotatably coupled to saidhousing assembly; said water conduit assembly being a hollow tube withan stationary portion and a rotating portion; said stationary portionextending generally along said axis; and said rotating portion extendingthrough said barrel portion.
 19. The portable hose reel assembly ofclaim 8 wherein: said reel assembly includes a central barrel portion,two opposed end hubs, a water conduit assembly, and a crank assembly;said crank assembly structured to rotate said barrel portion relative tosaid housing assembly; said reel assembly hubs coupled to said barrelportion; said reel assembly hubs rotatably coupled to said housingassembly; said water conduit assembly being a hollow tube with astationary portion and a rotating portion; said stationary portionextending generally along said axis; said rotating portion having anaxial portion and a perpendicular portion; said axial portion having anaxial end and a perpendicular end; said axial portion extendinggenerally along said axis with said axial end rotatably coupled to saidstationary portion; said perpendicular portion having a radial portionand a tangent portion; said radial portion extending generallyperpendicular to said axis and rotatably coupled to said axial portionperpendicular end; and said tangent portion extending adjacent to saidbarrel portion and structured to rotate to face either a first directionor a second direction relative to said barrel portion.
 20. The portablehose reel assembly of claim 1 wherein: said reel assembly includes acentral barrel portion, two opposed end hubs, a water conduit assembly,and a crank assembly; said crank assembly structured to rotate saidbarrel portion relative to said housing assembly; said reel assemblyhubs coupled to said barrel portion; said reel assembly hubs rotatablycoupled to said housing assembly; said water conduit assembly being ahollow tube with a stationary portion and a rotating portion; saidstationary portion extending generally along said axis; said rotatingportion having an axial portion and a perpendicular portion; said axialportion having an axial end and a perpendicular end; said axial portionextending generally along said axis with said axial end rotatablycoupled to said stationary portion; said perpendicular portion having aradial portion and a tangent portion; said radial portion extendinggenerally perpendicular to said axis and rotatably coupled to said axialportion perpendicular end; and said tangent portion extending adjacentto said barrel portion and structured to rotate to face either a firstdirection or a second direction relative to said barrel portion.